Bill Passes Assembly, May Be Strengthened or Rejected by Senate
The state Assembly yesterday passed the Earmark
Transparency Act (AB 739) that provides for full public reporting of spending
earmarks and a 48-hour waiting period between their disclosure and approval.
The bill would provide the public and budget watchdogs such as WISPIRG an opportunity
to identify wasteful spending items. It is similar to federal legislation
sponsored by U.S.
Senators Barack Obama (Illinois-D) and Tom Cochran (R-Oklahoma).
“WISPIRG applauds the Assembly for taking this important
step,” said Bruce Speight, advocate for the Wisconsin Public Interest Research
Group (WISPIRG).
Earmarks are spending items that are passed outside the
normal budget process and are often slipped into closed-door legislative
committee hearings in the fine print of bills shortly before a vote. Earmarks
can serve a legitimate public purpose because government programs crafted for
the entire state may not adequately take into consideration the particular
needs and opportunities in individual communities
"An earmark is basically a spending item that is
approved outside the normal legislative process of democratic checks and
balances. To restore faith in government, we need to ensure that this
extraordinary use of tax dollars does not happen behind closed doors or in the
eleventh hour of the night. Full disclosure and democratic oversight is the
best way to ensure clean and efficient government," continued Speight.
The bill now moves to the Senate.
“The Senate should not miss this opportunity to
increase transparency and accountability with the public purse. WISPIRG urges the Senate to take this bill up
before the end of the session,” said Speight.
